Amany Tawfik
Associate Professor
Academic Appointment(s)
Dental College of Georgia
Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences
Medical College of Georgia
Department of Culver Vision Discovery Inst
Medical College of Georgia
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Medical College of Georgia
Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy
The Graduate School
Bio
Dr. Tawfik’s overarching research interests revolve around nutritional deficiencies, specifically folic acid and vitamin B12, and their relationship with amino acid homocysteine in the impairment of vision. She uses basic research techniques to enhance the understanding of how elevated levels of homocysteine contributes to the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common causes of blindness worldwide. Over the last 10 years, her research has led to the now widely accepted notion which states that homocysteine, serves as a possible biomarker/risk factor for the development/progression of DR and AMD
Education
Awards & Honors
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P30 EY031631 (Sylvia Smith) , Tawfik co-director
NEI, NIH, 2020
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T35 AG067577 (Bollag)
“Program for Aging Research in the Summer (PARIS)” NIH, 2020
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NIH, R01
National Institute of Health, Office of the Director/NIH/ Pharmacology , 2019
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NIH R01 Grant, Tawfik, 1 R01 EY029751-01 – NEI00072
NEI-NIH, 2019
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1RO1EY028714-01A1 Bartoli (PI)
National Institute of Health, NIH/ National Eye Institute, Ophthalmology, 2018
Courses Taught Most Recent Academic Year
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BMBS 5302
Bioclinical Seminar II
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BMBS 5504
Bioclinical Seminar IV
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BMCR 5301
Cardiovascular & Renal Systems
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BMGH 5301
Gastrointestinal & Hepatobilia
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BMMS 5301
Integ & Musculo Sys I
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OBMP 9100
Journal Club in Oral Biology
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BMNN 5101
Nervous SyS & Neuroscience I
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BMRS 5301
Respiratory System
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BMBS 5201
Bioclinical Seminar I
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BMBS 5403
Bioclinical Seminar III
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BMCC 5201
Craniofacial Complex
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OBMP 9010
Grad Oral Bio Seminar
Teaching Interests
I have contributed to didactic and lab teaching in various anatomy courses. In addition I have directed 2 journal club courses, contributed to teaching in DBIO5002 and the Bioclinical Seminar.
I also supervise a doctoral student and postdoctoral Fellow.
Scholarship
Selected Recent Publications
- Publication Preview Source N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation, novel mechanism of homocysteine-induced blood–retinal barrier dysfunction, 2020
Cited Research
- Glycolysis links reciprocal activation of myeloid cells and endothelial cells in the retinal angiogenic niche, 2020
Cited Research
- A novel interaction between soluble epoxide hydrolase and the AT1 receptor in retinal microvascular damage, 2020
Cited Research
- Implication of Hyperhomocysteinemia in Blood Retinal Barrier (BRB) Dysfunction, 2020
Cited Research
- Homocysteine; a Potential Biomarker and Therapeutic Target for Diabetic Retinopathy, 2019
Cited Research
Research Interests
My research is focusing on studying the impact of metabolic disorders on retinal vasculature. In particular the increased levels of amino acid homocysteine and its role in inducing Blood retinal barrier dysfunction. Elucidating mechanisms of homocysteine mediated changes in Blood retinal barrier could lead to the development of treatments for retinal microvascular dysfunction in diseases associated with increased level of homocysteine, such as diabetic retinopathy and age related macular degeneration.
Department Service
College Service
University Service
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University Curriculum and Academic Policies Committee
2020 - 2022
Role: Committee Member
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Community Service Committee
2019 - 2021
Role: Attendee, Meeting
Professional Service
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Year
2019 - 2020
Role: Reviewer, Grant Proposal
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American Heart Association (AHA)
2019 - 2020
Role: Member
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The American Diabetes Association
2019 - 2020
Role: Member
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National Aeronautics and Space Administration Johnson Space Center Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate Human Research Program (NASA),
2019 - 2019
Role: Reviewer, Grant Proposal
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Journal of Clinical Medicine
2019 - 2019
Role: Reviewer
Public Service
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Food pantry of Islamic Society of Augusta (ISA)
2017 - Present
Role: Attendee, Meeting
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American Heart Association (AHA)
2018 - 2018
Role: Member